What happened: Former NFL defensive lineman Aldon Smith passed away Saturday in the Bay Area at age 36. The San Francisco 49ers confirmed the death of their former first-round pick, who was reportedly pronounced dead on arrival at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose. No official cause of death has been provided by authorities.

Why it matters: Smith was a foundational piece of the 49ers' defense during the early 2010s, earning First-team All-Pro honors in 2012. His 5 sacks in 2012 remains the single-season record in 49ers Though his career was interrupted by off-field struggles, his 33.5 sacks in his first 32 games stands as one of the most dominant starts for any defender in league history.

What to watch: Santa Clara County officials are expected to release further details pending an autopsy report. Tributes from the NFL community and former 49ers teammates continue to pour in for the former star defender.